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Failed IT System for Housing Finance Organisation: Audit Office Report

Published January 20, 2026, 09:33

The Audit Office has reported serious delays and failures in the implementation of the contract for the new Banking Information System (BIS) of the Housing Finance Organisation (HFO). Despite the contractual provision for completion by January 2021, the system has not been implemented, leading to continued dependence on the Cyprus Asset Management Company (CAMC) and additional costs of at least €3.55 million for the period 2021-2025. The failure is attributed to problems with the subcontractor and administrative weaknesses of the HFO, including the incomplete composition of the Board of Directors and the non-appointment of a General Manager. Furthermore, the Audit Office found an irregular modification of the contract, which substantially altered its subject matter, violating the relevant provisions of the public procurement law. The modification led to the substantial utilization of only the equipment and peripheral systems, a choice considered unlawful. The Auditor General, Andreas Papakonstantinou, emphasizes that the non-implementation of the BIS is not merely a technical or contractual failure, but a matter of strategic importance. The attempt to replace the subcontractor was unsuccessful, forcing the HFO to resort to temporary solutions. The Audit Office report highlights the need for improvement in the administrative operation of the HFO and for stricter control of public contracts, in order to avoid similar situations in the future and to ensure the effective use of public funds.